It’s been rumored for weeks, but it has finally been confirmed that Naomi Harris (28 Days Later) will take on the role of Miss Moneypenny in the new James Bond flick, for now only known as Bond 23.  Moneypenny was notably absent from both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.  Her inclusion might be sign that director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road) will take the new installment back in a more tradition direction. By the way, anyone skeptical about Mendes ability to handle an action packed Bond film, frightened that he might be a bit too cerebral, should take in 2005′s Jarhead with Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Foxx.

Judi Dench is set to return as “M”, but in other casting news, Academy Award winner Javier Bardem, another actor whose participation has long been the subject of rumor, specifically as a villain, has been confirmed to star, although we still don’t know who he’ll play. Another name that’s been bandied about quite a bit is that of Ralph Fiennes. Apparently Fiennes has been sewn up as well. I’m very high on Mr. Fiennes these days. I’m so excited for the December release of his directorial debut, Coriolanus, that I’m wishing half a year away.

Speaking of Coriolanus, the script for Bond 23 is co-written by John Logan who not only penned the script for Coriolanus but also for The Hurt Locker and was Academy Award and BAFTA nominated for the scripts for Gladiator and The Aviator. The other writers for Bond 23 are Neal Purvis and Robert Wade whose credits include Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale, Die Another Day and The World is Not Enough.

The bad news: we have to wait until November 2012 for the Bond 23. Grrrrr… The good news? The Weinstein Company is giving us and early Christmas present with Coriolanus on December 2, 2011.